1. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Written by John Hughes, this movie was meant to balance out Pretty in Pink by flipping the story. Eric Stoltz played the underdog artist, Lea Thompson was the popular girl, and Mary Stuart Masterson stole the show as the tomboy best friend. The film had all the Hughes signatures: teen angst, social cliques, and that unforgettable ending.
At the time, fans connected with its message about staying true to yourself. Yet compared to Hughes’ other blockbusters, it gets left in the shadows. People remember The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles, but Some Kind of Wonderful rarely makes the highlight reel. Still, its heartfelt performances make it one of his most underrated works.
2. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
Before Patrick Dempsey became “McDreamy,” he was the awkward teen paying the popular cheerleader to be his girlfriend. It was the ultimate ’80s fantasy about transforming from nerd to cool kid overnight. Amanda Peterson’s performance gave the story heart, showing that popularity doesn’t solve everything.
It was a big hit when it came out, but it slowly slipped from mainstream memory. While it’s been remade and referenced, it doesn’t carry the same nostalgic weight as other teen romances. For those who saw it, though, it’s hard to forget the lawnmower dance scene. It was pure ’80s charm, with a bittersweet reminder about what really matters.
3. Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Elisabeth Shue starred as a babysitter whose night spiraled into total chaos. From gang fights to a trip into downtown Chicago, the movie blended comedy, action, and teen drama in a way that kept audiences hooked. It even had that unforgettable “Don’t mess with the babysitter” line.
It was a favorite for slumber parties and VHS rentals, but it’s not often mentioned in the same breath as Ferris Bueller or Fast Times. Over time, it got lost among the bigger teen comedies of the decade. Still, it remains a fun and adventurous ride that instantly brings back memories of being a kid in the ’80s.
4. The Last American Virgin (1982)
This one started like a goofy sex comedy but completely surprised audiences with its emotional ending. It followed a group of friends navigating crushes, mistakes, and heartbreak, with Lawrence Monoson leading the cast. What set it apart was how brutally real it was compared to its raunchy peers.
Audiences didn’t quite know what to make of it, and that’s probably why it didn’t have lasting fame. But if you saw it, you probably never forgot that devastating final scene. It’s a reminder that not all teen stories have happy endings.
5. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
This comedy was a huge hit in the mid-’80s, turning the tables on the jocks-versus-nerds high school rivalry. With its ragtag group of misfits banding together, audiences loved watching the underdogs get their big win. The humor was wild, over-the-top, and sometimes cringey by today’s standards, but it spoke to anyone who ever felt like an outsider.
It spawned sequels and even became a cultural reference point, yet it doesn’t hold the same nostalgic glow as Ferris Bueller or Fast Times. Over time, its raunchier elements dated it, making it less talked about. Still, back then, it felt like a victory lap for every kid who didn’t fit in.
6. Weird Science (1985)
John Hughes struck gold again with this outrageous comedy about two nerdy teens who create the “perfect woman” on their computer. Kelly LeBrock became an instant icon as Lisa, and the mix of sci-fi, humor, and teenage wish fulfillment made it unforgettable. It had plenty of absurd moments, from mutant bikers to the crazy party scene.
While it was popular at the time, it’s not as endlessly quoted as Hughes’ other films. It doesn’t get the same cultural love as The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles, even though it was just as fun. For those who saw it, though, it’s pure ’80s chaos in the best way.
7. Porky’s (1981)
This raunchy teen comedy was one of the highest-grossing films of its year, thanks to its outrageous humor and over-the-top antics. It followed a group of high school boys in the ’50s chasing after mischief, with plenty of pranks and unforgettable gags. For many, it was their first taste of the “teen sex comedy” genre.
Despite its massive success, it’s rarely talked about today. The humor hasn’t aged well, and it’s often overshadowed by the more heartfelt teen comedies of the decade. Still, in the early ’80s, it was considered a must-see for teens looking for laughs.
8. Better Off Dead (1985)
John Cusack starred as a heartbroken teen whose girlfriend dumped him, leading to a series of bizarre comedic misadventures. From skiing challenges to a paperboy yelling, “I want my two dollars!”, it was endlessly quotable.
Although it gained cult status later, it was overlooked at the time. Cusack himself even admitted he didn’t love how it turned out. But for fans, it perfectly captured the absurd humor of the ’80s. It’s one of those films people rediscover and immediately wonder why it wasn’t bigger.
9. Summer School (1987)
Mark Harmon played a gym teacher stuck teaching remedial English, with Kirstie Alley as his love interest. The movie stood out because of its colorful cast of misfit students, including two horror fanatics who added plenty of laughs.
It was a lighthearted comedy that did well enough in theaters but didn’t leave the same mark as other teen comedies. Still, it had enough charm to make it memorable for kids who caught it on cable. These days, it’s rarely mentioned, even though Harmon’s laid-back performance made it a fun watch.
10. Risky Business (1983)
This was the film that launched Tom Cruise into superstardom. Playing a suburban teen whose parents leave him home alone, Cruise delivered one of the most iconic scenes of the decade: dancing in his underwear to “Old Time Rock & Roll.” The mix of comedy, drama, and youthful rebellion made it both entertaining and edgy.
It was a critical and box office hit, but strangely, it’s not often lumped in with the big teen classics in conversations today. People remember the famous scene, but the film as a whole doesn’t get the same recognition as Hughes’ hits. Still, it captured the reckless thrill of teenage freedom like few others.
11. Mystic Pizza (1988)
Before Julia Roberts became a superstar, she starred in this teen dramedy set in a small-town pizza parlor. Along with Annabeth Gish and Lili Taylor, she brought warmth and relatability to the story of young women figuring out love and life.
Though it’s remembered in part because of Roberts, the movie itself doesn’t get the same recognition as other ’80s coming-of-age films. It was loved at the time but got lost in the shuffle of bigger blockbusters. Watching it now feels like discovering a young Roberts just before she took over Hollywood.
12. The Wraith (1986)
This supernatural revenge thriller starred Charlie Sheen as a mysterious figure coming back from the dead to take on a gang of car thieves. It mixed teen movie elements with action and fantasy in a way that was very of its time.
It had a devoted fan base among teens who loved fast cars and supernatural twists. Still, it never became a household name. These days, it’s more of a curiosity than a classic, but for fans who grew up with it, it’s unforgettable.
